The business performance in the fourth quarter of 2017 is expected to increase as recorded by the confidence indicator of +14.0 per cent contributed by industry (+9.8%), construction (+22.8), wholesale & retail trade (+8.3%) and services (+23.6%) sectors.

Forecast in the fourth quarter of 2017 showed 42.4 per cent of establishments covered in this survey expect an increase in gross revenue while, 8.1 per cent of establishments foresee a decrease. Meanwhile, 49.5 per cent of establishments predict that the gross revenue will be unchanged. The gross revenue in the fourth quarter of 2017 is expected to increase with a net balance of +34.2 per cent.

In terms of number of employees, 28.2 per cent of establishments predict an increase while, 7.1 per cent of establishments predict a decrease in the fourth quarter of 2017. The magnitude of the positive net balance for the number of employees in the fourth quarter of 2017 is +21.2 per cent. (Table 1)

CURRENT SITUATION OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN THE THIRD QUARTER 2017

The current situation of business performance in the third quarter 2017 is better with an overall net balance of all sectors +23.1 per cent as compared to +22.5 per cent in the previous quarter. More than half of the establishments (56.1%) reported the current situation of their business to remain the same. Meanwhile, 33.5 per cent of establishments showed improvement in their business climate while, 10.4 per cent of establishments showed less favourable conditions. (Chart III & Table 2).

In the third quarter of 2017, the establishments reported that their gross revenue increased with a net balance of +33.0 per cent. The establishments which reported increases in their business gross revenue were 43.8 per cent. In contrast, 9.8 per cent of establishments reported a decline. Meanwhile, 46.4 per cent of establishments have stated their business gross revenue remained the same.

In terms of number of employees, 29.2 per cent of establishments indicated an increase in employment, while 11.2 per cent of establishments reported a decrease. Meanwhile, 59.6 per cent of establishments remained the same. Overall, a net balance of +18.0 per cent for the number of employees were recorded in the third quarter of 2017.

The current business situation for all sectors of industry, construction, wholesale & retail trade and services increased in the third quarter 2017 with a net balance of +25.4 per cent, +34.8 per cent, +14.1 per cent and +21.4 per cent respectively.

EXPECTATIONS OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OCTOBER 2017-MARCH 2018

The business performance in October 2017 to March 2018 is expected to increase with a net balance of +29.9 per cent. All sectors, i.e. industry, construction, wholesale & retail trade and services are expected to increase with the net balance of +30.2 per cent, +23.9 per cent, +26.1 per cent and +32.1 per cent respectively.